Medical communication protocol translator

A medical device message translator configured to facilitate communication between first and second medical devices within a medical information network, the translator comprising:

• a communication interface module configured to receive a first input message from a first medical device, the first medical device having generated said input message according to a first communication protocol, said input message identifying a second medical device as an intended recipient of the input message, said communication interface module being further configured to send a first test message to the second device to cause the second device to perform an action, the first test message including one or more data fields, and to send a second test message to the second device to query a result of the action, the second test message including one or more data field;
• and
• a translation module configured to determine one or more translation rules based at least in part on content of an active response to the second test message from the second device, and to translate said input message into an output message by applying said one or more translation rules, said output message being configured to permit said second medical device to receive and process said output message.